10 Best Paid Medical Internships for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
Engaging in summer internships (especially paid Internships for high school students) allows you to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world scenarios, enhancing your understanding of the medical field. Through hands-on experiences, you can develop essential skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, while exploring various career paths within healthcare. Many well-established institutions offer paid internships for high school students, which can significantly boost students’ resumes and provide insights into their future professions.
For those interested in medical careers, seeking out paid Internships for high school students can solidify your aspirations and provide guidance from experienced mentors in the field. In this blog, we have curated a list of the 10 best paid medical internships for high school students in New York City, ensuring that you have access to rewarding opportunities that will benefit your future endeavors.
1. Introduction to Bioinformatics at Icahn School of Medicine – CEYE Summer Programs
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (hybrid)
Stipend: Varies; all CEYE summer students receive a stipend
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: February 16
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences and research
- Attend NYC public school or charter school
- Must be an under-represented minority and/or economically disadvantaged
- Coursework or experience in coding/programming preferred but not required
The Introduction to Bioinformatics program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai allows you to explore bioinformatics through hands-on experience. You will learn essential skills in cellular and molecular biology, genomic science, and computer programming, culminating in projects that utilize open-access genomic data.
During live video sessions, you will interact directly with research faculty, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate students, providing valuable mentorship opportunities.You’ll also participate in team-building activities and leadership development initiatives, enhancing your college readiness. Completion of a final project utilizing genomic data is a requirement of the program, ensuring you can apply what you've learned in a practical context.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective; 2023 saw over 700 applicants for around 70 spots
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. March 9 is the priority admission deadline to the 2025 Summer Cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. The summer cohort starts on June 2
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! During the program, you will get to work with one of many high-growth start-ups on internships ranging across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. As an intern, you will work closely with your start-up managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, eventually presenting your work to the company at the end of your eight weeks. Here is the application form.
3. Medical and Scientific Exploration Program (MSEP) at Icahn School of Medicin – CEYE Summer Programs
Location: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (hybrid)
Stipend: Varies; all CEYE summer students receive a stipend
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: February 16
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students attending an NYC public school or charter school with a demonstrated interest in biomedical sciences; must be an under-represented minority and/or economically disadvantaged
The Medical and Scientific Exploration Program (MSEP) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is a six-week summer program that provides high school students with a comprehensive overview of health and medical careers. Throughout the program, you will enhance your understanding of cellular and molecular biology while exploring how these concepts relate to various illnesses.
Each week, you will engage with different laboratories and clinical departments within the Mount Sinai Health System, experiencing real-world applications of scientific principles through virtual lab tours, case studies, and facilitated discussions. Additionally, you will participate in activities focused on health disparities, team building, and leadership development.
This program is one of those paid Internships for high school students that offers direct interaction with faculty, healthcare professionals, and graduate students, allowing you to build valuable connections in the medical field.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. February 23 for the spring cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year. The spring cohort starts in March.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have finished the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers high school students programs that let them explore their passion for artificial intelligence. If you’re looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you will benefit from the AI Scholars program. It is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to the fundamentals of AI & data science and gives you a chance to work on real-world projects.
However, if you’re a more advanced student, consider the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program. Participating in this program will give you the chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
5. Columbia University Medical Center Summer Internship Program
Location: Columbia University, New York City, New York
Stipend: Students who complete US-based internships will receive a stipend depending upon the length of their internship
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: Ranges from 6 weeks to 6 months in the spring, summer, or fall. Dates are flexible and based on the student’s availability and the project’s needs
Eligibility: Students enrolled in one of the following schools at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center:
- The Mailman School of Public Health
- The College of Physicians and Surgeons
- The College of Dental Medicine
- The School of Nursing
The ICAP Next Generation Program is one of those paid Internships for high school students that offer a comprehensive training initiative that immerses you in global public health through hands-on internship and fellowship opportunities. You will collaborate with global health experts to design, implement, and evaluate ICAP-supported programs, gaining insights into healthcare delivery systems in low-resource settings.
This program allows you to work on specific programmatic projects alongside ICAP team members for two to six months, receiving mentorship throughout the experience. As part of ICAP's commitment to health equity, the program also provides additional funding for students from underrepresented groups with financial need. This ensures that all participants can engage meaningfully in their practicum experiences, contributing to a more diverse global public health workforce.
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center High School Internship Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York
Stipend: $1,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; the program accepts 20 students each summer, with an acceptance rate of approximately 2%
Application Deadline: February 7 (tentatively)
Program Dates: June 30 – August 22
Eligibility: High school juniors who are 14 or older by June with a 3.5 GPA in science subjects; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; must live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut within 25 miles of the Main Campus of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on the Upper East Side in Manhattan.
The Summer Student Program (SSP) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is another one of those top paid Internships for high school students. It provides you with a hands-on research experience in biomedical sciences over eight weeks. As a high school junior, you will work closely with dedicated mentors on independent projects that align with the research goals of your assigned labs, immersing yourself in laboratory-based biomedical or computational research. Throughout the program, you will attend lab meetings and sessions that connect you with a broad network of scientists and professionals within MSK’s community.
The program also prioritizes your professional and personal development, featuring events hosted by various MSK departments, including Human Resources and the Office of Scientific Education & Training. These events offer insights into translational medicine and scientific careers, helping you blend practical research skills with broader professional growth. Research areas span cancer biology, genomics, chemical biology, and immuno-oncology.
By the end of the program, you will have developed technical and analytical skills and gained valuable mentorship, providing a strong foundation for potential career paths in cutting-edge biomedical research. Completion of an independent project is a requirement of the program.
7. Zuckerman Institute’s Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC)
Location: Columbia University Labs
Stipend: Stipend provided (amount unspecified)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Applications open in the fall (October, tentatively)
Program Dates: 5 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors in high school who reside in New York City. Preference is given to students in Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx.
The Zuckerman Institute's Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia (BRAINYAC) offers high school students a chance to explore neuroscience through hands-on research. In this program, you will be matched with a Columbia neuroscientist who will mentor you throughout a specific research project over seven weeks. This includes training sessions during the winter and spring, leading to a full-time summer internship in a laboratory setting.
As a participant, you will gain valuable laboratory experience, receive a stipend, and have the opportunity to apply for a paid Merit Fellowship for continued work in your mentor’s lab. Additionally, you will have access to an alumni network, along with invitations to special events and trips.
8. NYU High School Medical Ethics Internship
Location: Remote
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: Spring applications are closed and summer applications are yet to open; check the website for updates!
Program Dates: Spring: March 24 – May 16; Summer: TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The High School Bioethics Project’s two-week internship is an excellent opportunity for students interested in healthcare, social justice, or public policy. Based in New York City, this remote program runs four days a week and introduces you to a wide range of bioethics topics.
You’ll engage with professionals from fields such as public health, healthcare, biotech, patient advocacy, and law, opening doors to potential mentorship opportunities. Your responsibilities will include reading and analyzing articles, participating in discussions, and writing reflection papers. The program culminates in the submission of a short paper on a topic explored during the internship.
9. CEYE Hospital Internship Placement Program – CEYE Summer Programs
Location: Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
Stipend: Varies; all CEYE summer students receive a stipend
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: February 16
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: Rising high school senior (current 11th grader at the time of application) with a minimum GPA of 85 (strongly preferred). Preference is also given to applicants who have experience in a research or medical facility or have participated in a CEYE program.
The CEYE Hospital Placement Internship is part of CEYE’s paid Internships for high school students. It offers high school students a unique chance to explore healthcare careers while strengthening their scientific knowledge, research skills, and communication abilities. This immersive experience takes place at Mount Sinai Hospital, where you’ll shadow healthcare professionals, observe their daily responsibilities, and contribute to various tasks.
The internship includes conducting library research and participating in weekly seminars that address topics such as health disparities. You will also learn how to navigate and utilize medical library resources effectively. The program concludes with both a written and oral presentation of your research findings.
10. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York
Stipend: Need-based stipend offered to students facing financial hardship (must meet attendance and research requirements)
Cohort Soze: 32 students
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) provides an opportunity for students to actively engage in medical and scientific research. Each group consists of about eight SSRP participants and is guided by an experienced trainee. You’ll receive a designated workspace in the RockEDU lab to work on a project that aligns with your team leader’s area of expertise and your specific interests in medicine.
The program begins with an introduction to your team’s research focus, training in key research techniques, and an overview of laboratory protocols. You’ll then select a research question related to your team’s topic to explore further. With support from your team leader and scientist-mentors, you’ll gather and analyze data throughout the program.